Punishing an enemy’s termity

9/18/1804

Commodore Edward Preble wrote this letter to the Secretary of the Navy on September 18, 1804. This letter records the actions Preble took to free captured American sailors held by the pasha of Tripoli. On August 3, 1804, several Tripolitan ships sailed out of their protected harbor and Preble sought to engage them. This page outlines the Preble’s plan and the opening shots of the engagement.

National Archives, Records of the U.S. Senate
Used with the permission of the U.S. Senate